Promoting Cultural and Historical Values as Driver for Tourism

Dien Bien, a sacred land on Vietnam’s northwestern frontier, is not only linked to the historic victory but is also rich in cultural heritage and ethnic traditions. Building on these historical and cultural values, the province is steadily developing tourism into a key economic sector, contributing to sustainable growth in the new era.

Hang Khua terraced fields, a unique artistic creation of the Mong ethnic community, Dien Bien province

Promoting its heroic history and preserving cultural identity while managing tourism resources responsibly is the sustainable path for Dien Bien to strengthen its place on Vietnam’s tourism map and reach global visitors.

Renewing the development mindset, linking culture with tourism

With its unique geography as Vietnam’s westernmost point, majestic nature, and abundant historical relics, Dien Bien has great potential for cultural and historical tourism. The 1954 Dien Bien Phu Victory remains an invaluable national treasure and a symbol of the region’s identity. In recent years, the province has linked tourism development with conservation, enhancing cultural, historical, heritage, and spiritual values to create distinctive, attractive tourism products.

The provincial government has issued many programs and action plans to implement Resolution 03-NQ/TU on tourism development through 2025, with a vision to 2030.

The focus is on transforming from basic tourism activities to a full-fledged tourism economy, with culture and history serving as the foundation and central link connecting all tourism products. Service quality, infrastructure, and human resources are being developed in a coordinated way to gradually build a professional, safe, friendly, and culturally rich destination.

Pa Khoang Lake is a distinctive and attractive tourism destination

The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has successfully organized many cultural activities to promote tourism, including the annual Bauhinia Flower Festival, Pa Khoang Cherry Blossom Festival, Ban Phu Festival, and Swallow Boat Racing Festival; cultural and tourism fairs in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Hoa province, and Luang Prabang, Laos; and events celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (1954-2024) and the 2024 National Tourism Year in Dien Bien. Traditional folk festivals, ethnic costume performances, and highland cuisine events across communes and wards have brought Dien Bien closer to domestic and international visitors.

Culture and history are the “soul” of Dien Bien tourism. The province has made clear that sustainable tourism development must be linked to preserving ethnic cultural identity and promoting historical values. The sector is actively coordinating with local authorities to conserve heritage while creating vivid, attractive, and culturally rich tourism products.

Vivid destination - the cultural quintessence of the northwest

Dien Bien is home to numerous historical and scenic sites, most notably the Dien Bien Phu battlefield, a national special relic, as well as archaeological sites, folk religious sites, festivals of the Thai, Mong, Kho Mu, and Ha Nhi ethnic groups, and distinctive forms of intangible cultural heritage.

The cultural sector has worked with scientists and local communities to digitize, document, restore, and promote heritage values. Conservation is paired with development, with traditional festivals accurately restored to serve community life while creating unique tourism products.

Visitors to Dien Bien can explore historical sites and experience the region’s culture, from ethnic cuisine and stilt houses to brocade weaving, folk art, and traditional ceremonies. Community tourism spots like Ban Men, Ban Ten, Ban Him Lam, and Ban Che Can are increasingly drawing travelers seeking immersive cultural experiences.

The province emphasizes community-based tourism models linked with skill training and livelihood transformation for residents. When locals actively participate in tourism, cultural values are genuinely preserved and disseminated.

To meet tourism development needs in the context of integration, Dien Bien prioritizes improving the quality of staff, guides, artisans, and tourism workers. Professional training programs, cultural knowledge, visitor service skills, and foreign language courses are widely implemented, especially in key tourism areas.

The province also invests in transport infrastructure, air and road connectivity, and upgrades major tourism sites and heritage areas. New tour routes, such as “Following General Vo Nguyen Giap’s Footsteps,” “Dien Bien Phu Historical Journey,” and expanded Northwestern tours, are opening opportunities for Dien Bien to emerge as an attractive regional destination.

By Ngoc Tung, Vietnam Business Forum